Cindy Morgan Article

Missionaries Accept Risk
Posted on February 26, 2003
The Shreveport Times


Story by Diane Haag

	Cindy Morgan, MD, a missionary in Bangladesh, holds Ruel, a child with malnutrition and dehydration. She has lived and worked in Bangladesh for more than 10 years. As prospects of war grow, some worry about anti-American sentiment abroad.
Special To The Times

Of the 11 countries added to the U.S. State Department's travel warning list this month, nine are in the area of the world most targeted by religious missionaries.

As they attempt to bring the light of the Gospel to the dark corners of the globe, religious missionaries have long accepted some inherent risks. While they've paid attention to travel warnings, they have relied on their faith to protect them.

But as talk of war against Iraq intensifies and anti-American sentiment grows, kidnappings or homicides are becoming more of a threat to Christian missionaries.

"It will be a nightmare" if the United States goes to war, said Bob Ellis, head of security for the Presbyterian International Health Ministries office. "While some educated people can separate individuals from government, so many people are desperate and believe what they're told. They see America as belligerent and aggressive."

That doesn't mean any less conviction by the faithful to treat wounded bodies and souls. Missionary efforts can include direct evangelization or work such as treating the sick or building schools.

Michael Jaffarian, a researcher at CB International, said he hasn't seen any drop in mission work. So far, he said, Pakistan is the only country missionaries consistently have left because of several attacks against Christians.

But organizations are keeping a close eye on other hot spots. Few missionaries are in Iraq proper, Jaffarian said, and those there are safer than in other Muslim countries.

"Saddam has not been very anti-Christian," he said. "He's been oppressive overall, but not like other Muslim countries where Christians are singled out."

Proselytizing is illegal in many other places, and some countries like Saudi Arabia have outlawed Christian worship.

Dr. Cindy Morgan, originally of Shreveport, has seen the anger firsthand as a medical missionary with the Presbyterians in Bangladesh. Generally, she describes it as a country of poor but resourceful and welcoming people.

But as the war on terror began in late 2001, Morgan saw a darker side of the country she has called home for 12 years. Muslim extremists gathered men off the streets weekly into angry processions complete with effigies of President George W. Bush.

Because Christians, who make up less than 1 percent of the population, are associated with Americans, even natives received the anger. Morgan remembered one chant ringing through the streets: "Catch a Christian. Cut them. Once in the morning. Once in the evening."

Her family managed to leave the country for a short time; others stayed sequestered in their homes.

"I had never seen the community like that," Morgan said.

An American missionary working at a clinic in Lebanon was shot and killed in November. In December, three American missionaries were shot to death and a fourth injured in Yemen.

The possibility of violence has led some programs to provide more support before missionary candidates leave the United States.

Jeanie Steadman, associate pastor of Word of Life Center in Shreveport, has been taking short-term group mission trips for 15 years. But in the past couple of years, she and her pastor have prayed even more as they plan their trips, which have a strong evangelistic purpose.

A recent trip to Tanzania was postponed twice in the past year as they waited for a safer time.

Steadman said Word of Life used to keep training simple with an overview of local customs and the best way to carry out work without offending anyone.

"In the last three years, we started giving safety instruction, and we've actually asked for people not to go for their own safety," she said. "We've become a lot more selective."

All of the Presbyterian missionaries have contingency plans and escape routes in case of civil unrest, Ellis said. "It's a whole new day, even in Islamic countries we've worked in for decades."

Spiritual support from church members at home also is key, said the Rev. Joe Gant of Shreveport, president of the Baptist Missionary and Educational State Convention of Louisiana. He keeps up with reports from the government and has asked his congregation to fast from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. every Wednesday.

"That's what it's going to take," Gant said. "It's time for us to go to a higher being."

Many churches take up offerings for their missionaries.

For those missionaries who commit their lives to working in a country, the thought of leaving at the first sign of trouble can seem more like selling out, Ellis said.

Morgan said she has every intention to return to Bangladesh after her son finishes school in May. She and her husband spent time in medical school preparing to go there. In the dozen years of their service, she has worked with malnourished children, provided immunizations and trained birth attendants.

In the country where most families make 60 cents a day working in rice fields, malnutrition has been a major project of Morgan's. "Some come in and they're just bones." She will put them on feeding tubes and, eventually, they will get well enough to eat on their own.

"(Bengalis) are always amazed at why we would want to live there," Morgan said. "It really is important for people to be in other countries. It shrinks the world."

In some cases, convincing missionaries to leave means convincing them the presence of Americans can do more harm than good.

"They want to stay with people in time of crisis," Ellis said. "But we try to help them understand it may put their colleagues in more crisis."

For those who conduct shorter term missions, it is a commitment to their faith that keeps them going back.

Jack Fry, communications director for the Louisiana/Arkansas conference of Seventh-day Adventists, looked to Jesus' disciples who died as martyrs. "We still have an obligation to the Lord to carry out his message."

Steadman agreed, saying she would continue traveling even if she couldn't bring anyone with her.

"I know that part of the purpose and destiny of my life is to share what I know about God. I don't plan for anything to happen, but I'm prepared for anything."